2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Research on the regulation mechanism of termite caste polymorphism by genes snd pheromones.
Project/Area Number |
22370008
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Section | 一般 |
Research Field |
Ecology/Environment
|
Research Institution | Ibaraki University |
Principal Investigator |
KITADE Osamu 茨城大学, 理学部, 准教授 (80302321)
|
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
OOMURA Wakako 独立行政法人森林総合研究所, 木質改善研究領域, 主任研究員 (00343806)
ARAYA Kunio 九州大学, 比較社会文化研究科(研究院), 教授 (10263138)
MAEKAWA Kiyoto 富山大学, 理工学研究部, 准教授 (20345557)
|
Project Period (FY) |
2010 – 2012
|
Keywords | 生物社会 / カスト決定機構 |
Research Abstract |
Termite society contains individuals of different castes. In this reserch project, we revealed that the caste fate (nymph or worker) of Reticulitermes termites was determined by the interactions between an X-linked caste determination gene and a worker-inducing pheromone produced by reproductives. Genetic effects were detected for the sensitivities to the pheromone. Direct aggressive behavior probably has an important role in the caste ratio regulation.
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